THE ZODIAKE OF LIFE

1588·London

London: Robert Robinson, 1588. Third Complete Edition in English. This is the famous work of the 16th century Italian poet who has been identified acrostically (from the initial letters of the first 20 lines of this book) as Pietro Angelo Manzolli. Because "Zodiake" sarcastically attacks monks and church abuses, its author was labelled "impious," the work was put on the "Index Librorum Prohibitorum," and the author was later disinterred and burned as a heretic (something that only made it more attractive to Elizabethan reformers). The book includes many judicious maxims, and it has been called a truly philosophical satire against immorality and prejudice. (Chalmers) In scientific terms, it is a study of the plurality of worlds and explores the cause of motion and the purpose of pain. "Based on the commonplace that the pleasures of the body are far inferior to those of the soul, its ideas resonate in Shakespeare and Spenser, who may well both have read it." (DNB) For modern collectors, the book is especially appealing as a rare and early astrological work in English. First published in part in 1560, this English translation is the work of Barnabe Googe (1540-94), and is said by DNB to have been praised by Roger Ascham, Francis Meres, George Turbervile, Clement Robinson, Jasper Heywood, Arthur Hall (translator of Homer), William Webbe, and Gabriel Harvey. Before our edition, the book was published in 1565 and again in 1576, but all 16th century printings are now scarce in the marketplace: the last copy listed as selling in ABPC and RBH was in 1997, and there are just three others (including ours, in 1978) listed since 1926.. 202 x 143 mm. (8 x 5 5/8"). 4 p.l., 242 pp., [10] leaves (lacking final blank). Translated from the Latin by Barnabe Googe. Third Complete Edition in English. 19th century sprinkled calf, covers with gilt rule border and oblique floral cornerpieces, rebacked to style, raised bands flanked by gilt rules, spine panels with gilt centerpiece, brown morocco label, new endpapers. Title page with xylographic border. Printed in black letter. Front pastedown with bookplate of the Fox Pointe Collection; blank verso of final leaf with signatures of John Dyer and James Dyer, the latter dated 1717. STC 19152; Langland to Wither 114; Gardner II, 895 (1560 ed.); Brunet IV, 317. Leather on boards a little dry and crackled, joints slightly worn, extremities a bit rubbed, last two leaves with neat marginal repairs, text a shade less than bright, occasional minor smudges or soiling, but an excellent copy nevertheless, generally clean and fresh, in a solid, pleasant binding. This is the famous work of the 16th century Italian poet who has been identified acrostically (from the initial letters of the first 20 lines of this book) as Pietro Angelo Manzolli. Because "Zodiake" sarcastically attacks monks and church abuses, its author was labelled "impious," the work was put on the "Index Librorum Prohibitorum," and the author was later disinterred and burned as a heretic (something that only made it more attractive to Elizabethan reformers). The book includes many judicious maxims, and it has been called a truly philosophical satire against immorality and prejudice. (Chalmers) In scientific terms, it is a study of the plurality of worlds and explores the cause of motion and the purpose of pain. "Based on the commonplace that the pleasures of the body are far inferior to those of the soul, its ideas resonate in Shakespeare and Spenser, who may well both have read it." (DNB) For modern collectors, the book is especially appealing as a rare and early astrological work in English. First published in part in 1560, this English translation is the work of Barnabe Googe (1540-94), and is said by DNB to have been praised by Roger Ascham, Francis Meres, George Turbervile, Clement Robinson, Jasper Heywood, Arthur Hall (translator of Homer), William Webbe, and Gabriel Harvey. Before our edition, the book was published in 1565 and again in 1576, but all 16th century printings are now scarce in the marketplace: the last copy listed as selling in ABPC and RBH was in 1997, and there are just three others (including ours, in 1978) listed since 1926.
(Inventory #: ST14950)

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